plate no. 1528

04. Still Life Pink Roses in a Vase 2017 by Anthony D. Padgett (after Van Gogh Saint Remy 1890)

Anthony Padgett, 2017

oilPost-Impressionismsymbolic paintingrosesvaseflowersstill lifeleavestable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto brushwork and color mixing to create vibrant, textured surfaces. It also offers practice in simplifying complex forms into expressive strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the vase, roses, and leaves, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of pink and white, creating a textured effect.
step 03
Establish the dark and light values on the table surface using browns and reds.
step 04
Begin painting the roses, using a mix of reds, pinks, and whites, applying thick, short strokes to define the petals.
step 05
Add the leaves, using a mix of greens, blues, and yellows, varying the brushstrokes to create depth.
step 06
Refine the shapes and colors of the vase, blending some areas and leaving others with visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the roses and leaves to enhance their form.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · rose madder · titanium white · viridian green

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the various pinks by mixing rose madder and titanium white in different ratios. Create the greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, leading to a flat, uniform texture.
→Ignoring the underlying structure of the roses and leaves, making them appear shapeless.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, resulting in a lack of harmony.